NEW DELHI: Sometimes symbolism trumps intent in Parliament. The opposition appears to be embarking on one such endeavour as its no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is set to come up for discussion and voting when the second half of the Budget Session resumes on Monday.In the first part of the session, the opposition accused the Chair of partisan functioning, stitching together a series of flashpoints including the alleged denial of speaking time to leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and the suspension of MPs.

Now, as MPs prepare to vote on a motion widely expected to be defeated, the specifics of Birla’s conduct may remain incidental, with the debate instead turning into a political stage for parties to position themselves ahead of upcoming assembly elections. Additionally, the opposition is likely to attempt to corner the government on issues like US tariffs and the Jeffrey Epstein files.While the motion is unlikely to succeed given the numbers in the House, the debate may also become a platform for parties to position themselves ahead of upcoming assembly elections.

The motion appears largely symbolic and a case of political posturing, as the removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker requires an effective majority that is, a majority of the present strength of the House, excluding vacant seats.Given the numbers in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the opposition faces an uphill task in securing the required majority.Opposition’s unity showHowever, the INDIA bloc is likely to use the debate as an opportunity to project unity ahead of the high-stakes assembly elections in states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala.This comes amid signs of strain within the opposition bloc, after several leaders called for a leadership rejig.Earlier, veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is central to the survival of the opposition’s INDIA bloc. Meanwhile, leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sanjaya Baru, who served as media adviser to then prime minister Manmohan Singh, have also suggested that “new ideas should” lead or manage the INDIA bloc.

Trinamool Congress had initially decided not to back the resolution, leading to confidence among treasury bench members that Birla could receive support from outside the opposition bloc as well. However, it is now reported that TMC MPs are likely to support the motion following directions from party chief Mamata Banerjee.Additionally, Congress and DMK are expected to present a show of unity, even as negotiations continue between the two parties over seat-sharing for the Tamil Nadu polls.Meanwhile, Congress has also issued a whip to its Lok Sabha members, asking them to ensure their presence in the House for three days as it seeks to marshal maximum strength, since a division of votes is expected.What can we expect?Beyond the Speaker’s conduct, the opposition is expected to broaden the debate and raise several other issues. Among the matters likely to be raised are the proposed India–US trade deal, Russian oil imports, the Israel–Iran conflict, and the Epstein files.Accusing the prime minister of “selling out” the country through the proposed trade deal with the US, Rahul Gandhi in his speech had said, “the trade deal you’ve struck with America, in which you’ve sold out the country, that’s what shame is. You’ve handed over our country’s data. You’ve wiped out the farmers. You’ve ruined the textile industry — that’s what shame is”.The treasury benches also appear prepared to mount a strong defence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. A clear signal came when the government sent Birla to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as prime minister of Bangladesh on February 17.With parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju leading the charge, the ruling side is likely to counter the opposition by accusing it of politicising an issue unrelated to the functioning of the House.

Additionally, the government is expected to raise the alleged “insult” to President Droupadi Murmu after the West Bengal government changed the venue of the International Santhal Conclave that she was scheduled to attend.Just days ahead of the resumption of the Parliament session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the West Bengal government, calling the episode “shameful and unprecedented.”“Everyone who believes in democracy and the empowerment of tribal communities is disheartened. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji, who herself hails from a tribal community, has caused immense sadness among the people of India. The TMC government of West Bengal has truly crossed all limits. Their administration is responsible for this insult to the President,” Modi said in a post on X.“It is equally unfortunate that a subject as important as Santhal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal government. The office of the President is above politics, and the sanctity of this office should always be respected. One hopes better sense prevails among the West Bengal government and TMC,” he added.The ruling side may also target the Congress in the House over its plan for a controversial shirtless march at Bharat Mandapam during the AI summit in Delhi.Historical precedentsAlthough rare, such motions have in the past been used to question the moral authority of the Chair rather than to actually remove the Speaker.Earlier in 2024, the opposition moved a similar motion against then Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar.However, Deputy Chairman Harivansh dismissed the motion, terming it an act of impropriety that was severely flawed and drawn up in haste to tarnish the reputation of the Vice President.At least 60 opposition members had signed the notice seeking Dhankhar’s removal on December 10.History also records at least three instances since Independence when a motion was moved to remove the Speaker.The first was against India’s first Lok Sabha Speaker G V Mavalankar in 1954, after MP Vigneshwar Misra alleged that the Speaker was not impartial.In 1966, opposition MPs moved a motion against Speaker Sardar Hukum Singh, with Madhu Limaye leading the charge, while Deputy Speaker S V Krishnamoorthy Rao presided over the proceedings.The third motion was moved on April 15, 1987, seeking the removal of Speaker Balram Jakhar, with CPI(M) MP Somnath Chatterjee leading the move and Deputy Speaker Thambi Durai presiding. The motion was ultimately rejected by the House.While the motion is unlikely to alter the Speaker’s position, the debate around it is expected to set the stage for the upcoming electoral battles in the states.

Shirin Ansari: Female auto driver from Mumbai

Picture this: It’s a rainy day in Mumbai. In the chaotic, wet streets of Mumbai, you stretch out your hand to call an auto as one pulls up in front of you. Rushed to save yourself from the moist drizzles, you quickly sit inside. Right when you look up at the driver’s seat to tell ‘auto waale bhaiya’ about your destination, you witness something which is not accounted as a common sighting. A figure in hijab, smiling at you as she says, “This auto wale is not a bhaiya, it’s a didi.”This is not just an imaginary scenario but a reality shaping itself not just in Mumbai but across the streets of different Indian cities.Driving the handlebars of the auto rickshaw is Shirin Ansari, the ‘Dabangg Lady’, navigating through not just the heavy traffic, but a labyrinth of societal scorn.

It’s been eight years since she first revved up her own auto, the three-wheeled orange beast she owns. Although the vehicle was originally intended for her injured son, it seemed the machine clearly had a different owner in mind all along, an owner that would go on to achieve destinations on the road and milestones in Ansari’s life.

Shirin’s story, and those of hundreds like her, are driving the wheels of change. These women aren’t just ferrying passengers; they’re dismantling gender fortresses, one kilometre at a time, in a profession where men have long held the throttle. However, it would be unfair to mention pioneers like Shila Dawre in Pune, the Limca World Record holder, who has been recognised and listed as India’s first female auto driver. With just Rs 12 in her pocket, she had taken the steering of her life as she later went on to become a successful entrepreneur, founding her own travel company, Vighnaharta Tourism, in Pune.Operated as an auto-driver for over 13 years, paving the way for future generations of women to enter unconventional, male-dominated careers in public transport, she has also been honoured by the President of India as one of the “First Ladies” of the country, a title given to women who were the first to set a milestone in their respective fields.Bottom line? When we generally mention professions from the white-collar jobs like doctors and CEOs, to something like driving an auto rickshaw, our mind automatically imagines a man holding the spot. But these women are going that extra mile, quite literally, to change that idea.By reclaiming these spaces, they are dismantling gender norms and redefining what it means to celebrate womanhood in the modern world.

The ‘Dabang Lady’ Of Mumbai

Shirin is not your regular auto driver. She is practically a celebrity now.The respect and recognition she has earned surely includes the “auto-driver brothers” and the locals. However, it also extends to some prominent Bollywood figures. That’s how her job also landed her a role in a movie.Fame knocked unexpectedly: director Leena Yadav, widely popular for feminist movies like Parched, spotted her lit-up orange rickshaw en route to the hospital. She then roped her into a film with Jacqueline Fernandez.“I was nervous, I told her, don’t act. But she was very kind to me, and she said don’t worry, we will teach you that,” Shirin marvels, recalling the khichdi fed with love on set, and the first time she found out that she would be working with Jacqueline Fernandez.Television personalities like Archana Puran Singh, when learnt about her, was also drawn to come and meet her.

However, it was not all hunky dory for her when it all started.Divorced fifteen years ago following a marriage strained by the shadow of triple talaq, she became a single mother to three children.Drawing from her hard-earned savings, she took out a Rs 4.5 lakh loan to purchase an auto-rickshaw. Though she initially bought the vehicle for her son, she had no way of knowing it would eventually become her own lifeline.“I was so tense,” she recounts in her candid interview. “The auto sat idle for two months while I struggled to pay the weekly EMIs.”Before taking the wheel, she had supported her family as a hospital patient attendant and even ventured into business with a biryani stall. However, that dream ended in financial loss after the stall was shut down during BMC raids.Pushed by mounting financial pressure and the steady encouragement of her friends, she finally decided to take the driver’s seat herself.

Female auto driver Shirin Ansari shares her ‘auto driver brothers’ welcome and respect her with garland

Though she began as a hesitant driver, her bravery didn’t go unnoticed. When she went to claim her official permit, the officers present broke into cheers; they were witnessing a milestone, as she became the first woman in her region to be granted a commercial driving license for the vehicle.Now, she clocks 12-14 hours daily, from 7 AM to 10 PM, with no midday breaks.“I drive by rules—no signal jumping, no wrong turns, sticking to the rules and my principles. Police salute me,” she beams, passengers clapping, college students queuing for selfies and stories.Shirin’s “Dabang Lady” moniker? Born from collar-grabbing showdowns with eve-teasers who mistook her for easy prey.“They tried fun; I beat back,” she laughs, her auto a rolling testament to soft power laced with steel.

Women in male-dominated field

Shirin’s personal journey from a struggling single mother to a local celebrity is part of a much larger, national shift in India’s workforce.While she once felt “tense” about her idle vehicle, she is now among the pioneers breaking into the informal transport sector—a field where women accounted for only about 12 per cent of all driving licenses as of 2020.This movement is particularly significant in states like Karnataka, where women comprise barely 6 per cent of professional drivers as per “The Rise of Feminine Leadership Edition-II” by Ms Chhavi Mathur.By taking the wheel, women like Shirin are doing more than just earning a fare, they are asserting their “right to the city,” reclaiming public roads that have historically been treated as male-dominated spaces.Research shows that family stressors, such as widowhood, divorce, or a male breadwinner losing their job, are often the primary triggers for women entering this profession. However, this path to independence is paved with significant financial risk.In a study of Chennai drivers, it was found that 93 per cent of women carried outstanding loans for their vehicles, often averaging over Rs 1.41 lakh. While the work offers a way to fund their children’s education and improve their status at home, many remain vulnerable to economic dips, such as those seen during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when some drivers were left unable to pay rent for months.

Beyond individual survival, these drivers are acting as “catalysts of social transformation”.When a woman drives an auto, it changes the way the city functions and feels. Many female passengers report an “added sense of security” when they see a woman behind the wheel, especially during late-night commutes. This creates a safer urban network and fosters a “sisterhood” of mutual support among the drivers themselves.Despite these benefits, the “grit” required is immense.Some women in cities like Pune report needing to adopt a “masculine attitude” and more assertive behaviour just to survive the social stigma and harassment they face on the road.As Shirin puts it, “When I used to drive a rickshaw, many people used to look at me in a bad way. Many people tried to shake hands with me. Many people used to sit in a rickshaw and have fun with me.”“Why should I do this? There are many ways to do it. Then I grabbed their collar and beat them. That’s how I got the name, Dabang Lady,” she added.

Gears of change: Programs backing women drivers

To support this rising tide of female leadership, government and institutional programs are beginning to provide the necessary “gears” for change. These initiatives move beyond just giving out licenses; they focus on building a sustainable ecosystem for women in transport.

For this movement to last, cities must invest in “Pink Auto Stands” that include proper lighting, CCTV, and public toilets to ensure driver safety.Shirin’s story of solidarity, symbolised by the garlands gifted by fellow rickshaw drivers, stands in stark contrast to the invisible walls many others face.

‘Job reduces chances of marriage’

An attempt to document another female auto driver’s story brought forth the other side of this reality.An auto driver from Delhi, who did not wish to be named, kept her face covered in fear of being recognised. Despite assurances of anonymity, she became reluctant to share her story.She explained that since she was unmarried, she was unwilling to let her identity come out.Though initially eager to share her journey, her brother intervened, ‘denying’ her permission to speak to TOI. “Because I’m not married yet. What if this becomes a problem someday? Apart from my family, meaning my mom, dad, brother and sister-in-law, no one knows that I drive a rickshaw.”Her response reveals a painful reality.For many unmarried women in this profession, driving remains a secret to protect their “image” and marriage prospects. They are caught in a gender paradox, skilled and willing to navigate the city, yet tethered to the permissions of male family members.In public spaces, they must pay a “character tax”, with their morals questioned simply for working outside the home.While International Women’s Day celebrates the strides women have made in reclaiming public space, many are still waiting for the movement to reach them and allow them to live on their own terms.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hailed women as the “greatest force for change” while extending his wishes on International Women’s Day.The Lok Sabha leader of opposition also shared a video capturing his conversation with young female students in Keralam.“The conversation with young students in Kerala was truly inspiring. Their confidence and determination to pursue their dreams show that women are the greatest force for change,” Gandhi, a former Lok Sabha MP from the state’s Wayanad seat, wrote in the post.The video showed Gandhi entering what appeared to be a school canteen and taking a seat at a table where several female students were gathered.One of the girls told him that, despite the number of women achievers India produces, she feels it is still “shameful” to be a woman in Indian society.He disagreed with her view and cited the example of legendary athlete PT Usha, who hails from Keralam.“What is wrong with running like a girl? What about PT Usha? She’s done pretty well. All this is happening because you are used to living in a male world, and already the male world is unfair to you. They’re making the rules. They’re saying what’s good and bad. You should make the rules. You should not be ashamed of being a woman,” the Congress’ former president said.He then recalled how in his own family, he was “outnumbered” by women, describing his grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, as the “boss of the family.”“Women are generally more intelligent than men, for the most part. Men are in a hurry, and they get blinded by silly things. Women think longer term—they don’t apply direct power, they apply indirect power. That’s more effective,” he added.Gandhi then asked what each of them want to be in future. He got a variety of answers, including one student who wanted to pursue research in medical physics, which she chose because she couldn’t opt for MBBS.He also expressed his support for campus politics, saying people should have some sense of what politics is.One student asked what change Gandhi would like to see in India in the next 10 years and how it could be achieved. The Raebareli MP replied that he would want all young people in India to do what they want, and not what others want them to do.“The only real thing you should do is to discover your uniqueness,” he stated.The video ended with students and canteen staff taking pictures with the politician.